Chirnside Park is a semi-rural locality near Melbourne, in Yarra Ranges Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development. It is set against the Yarra Ranges.
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places. Health access is an exceptional strength, with health access 100% above the peer median. Open-space access is better than in most comparable places, well above typical levels for semi-rural and lifestyle localities. Recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places, with recorded road crashes 65% below the peer median. Trade-offs centre on more mapped flood cover and higher housing costs, with median house prices 10% above the peer median.
Chirnside Park is a better fit for people who value daily services and open space more than lower housing costs.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Semi-rural locality · compared with semi-rural and lifestyle localities in Victoria (228)
Strengths
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places
Open-space access is better than in most comparable places
Health-facility access is stronger than in comparable places
Recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places
Weaknesses
Mapped flood cover is a relative weakness
Housing costs a little more than in comparable places
What stands out
Yarra Ranges
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★☆☆
Professionals★★☆☆☆
Retirees★☆☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Chirnside Park compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$980k
+9.2% change
Median rent (Census)
$443/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
Population (ERP)
12,596
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#142
among Metro Melbourne · Established
Crime rate
61st
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
67th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
15%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
64th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
40.9/100 — Average
National rank
4187th in Australia
State rank
941st in VIC
Peer rank
#142 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#326 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
98%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
+1.0% annual · +7.1% over 5 years · 67th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.0%
5-year growth
+7.1%
Change in 1 year
+120
Change in 5 years
+833
Growth rank in VIC
67th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~13,950), extrapolated at +2.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
11,779
Median age
38
Median household income / week
$2,084
Dwelling vacancy
4.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
189 of 4,264
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$443
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
37.1% / 47.8% / 15.1%
Employment rate
64.8%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
22.3% / 1.1% / 59.8%
Walked or cycled to work
0.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
3,987 / 65 / 17
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
22.8% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 19.9% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified22.8% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified11.4% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational19.9% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below46% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce22%
Engineering and related technologies17.5%
Society and culture12.3%
Health12.3%
Education10.3%
Architecture and building8.7%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$62,281
82nd percentile in VIC · +6% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$67,668
82nd percentile in VIC · +4% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
13.0%
55th percentile in VIC · -6% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$93,968
69th percentile in VIC · +48% vs Australia
Residents with business income
9.0%
15th percentile in VIC · -13% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3116 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
7,620
Taxpayers reporting net rent
962
Median net rent
-$2,834
Taxpayers reporting business income
707
Taxable income vs state median
+17%
Salary / wages vs state median
+16%
Rental investment vs state median
0%
Super vs state median
+17%
Business income vs state median
-18%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
14.4% speak a language other than English at home; 22.2% born overseas
Language at home
9,758 English only · 1,643 other
Non-English at home
14.4%
Born overseas
2,533 (22.2%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
91 (0.8%)
Australian citizens
10,536
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
32
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Mandarin136 · 20.5%
Italian94 · 14.2%
Cantonese43 · 6.5%
Punjabi43 · 6.5%
Persian39 · 5.9%
Greek30 · 4.5%
Hindi30 · 4.5%
Malayalam27 · 4.1%
Religion
45.6%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 45.6%, while Christianity accounts for 44.8%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
45.6%
38.8%
Christianity
44.8%
40.9%
Other / not stated
9.6%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
19.6%
20.5%
Anglican
8.4%
6.5%
Christian (not further defined)
4.2%
2.5%
Uniting Church
2.5%
2.4%
Baptist
2.5%
1.3%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
852
Against the person
140
Against property
550
Rate per 1,000 residents
67.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 84 residents
State crime-rate percentile
60.5th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+2.3%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
221
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
17.55
Most common offence types
B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle46
B43 Steal From A Retail Store266
B49 Other Theft71
B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception53
E21 Breach Family Violence Order58
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Chirnside Park Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1040 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 411 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
Chirnside Park Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Coldstream Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Lilydale Heights CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Lilydale High SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Lilydale Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Manchester Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Mooroolbark CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Rolling Hills Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Victoria Road Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Wonga Park Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
Victorian designated neighbourhood zones — Victorian Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
Great for outdoor family life — 35 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
Well connected by public transport — 39 public transport stops
Strong local sport and recreation — 47 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.97
Community(1)
Chirnside Park Primary SchoolSchool
66 Kimberley Drive
Sport & outdoors(67)
BBQ
Almondsbury WalkCycling route
Bayswater-Lilydale TrailCycling route
Brushy Creek Linear TrailCycling route
Brushy Creek TrailCycling route
Carrum to Warburton TrailCycling route
Green Spine Shared PathCycling route
Drinking water
Fitness station
Cherry Hill Way ReservePark
Lancaster ReservePark
Park (9)
Cloverlea PlaygroundPlayground
Lancaster Place PlaygroundPlayground
Playground
Sports field
Swimming pool (43)
Transport(4)
4 bus stops
Other(6)
Bench (7)
Chirnside Park CFA Fire StationFire station
79 Edward Road, Chirnside Park
Garden (2)
Parking (8)
Parking Space (23)
Picnic Table
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
6
Nearest hospital
Yarra Ranges Health (3.8 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
GP clinics in suburb
2
GPs tagged bulk billing (OSM)
0 of 2
Aged-care services
1
Residential aged-care places
144
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Chirnside Park Medical ClinicMaroondah HighwayGP
Chemist WarehouseMaroondah HighwayPharmacy
Meadowgate DentalMeadowgate DriveDentist
Medical For EverybodyMaroondah HighwayClinic
OPSMMaroondah HighwayOptometrist
TerryWhite ChemmartMaroondah HighwayPharmacy
Aged-care services
Chirnside ViewsCHIRNSIDE PARKResidential
Australian Government–subsidised services from the AIHW GEN list (30 June 2025), assigned to this suburb by location.
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Usual max / min
24° / 13°
Rainfall
155 mm · ~19 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
186 mm · ~23 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
203 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
18° / 9°
Rainfall
207 mm · ~26 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
104 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
September 2021
Use and development of a food and drink premise, display of internally illuminated business identification signage and alteration of access to a Transport Zone 2
242-244 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use of the land for rural industry and manufacturing sales for a sorghum winery, associated buildings and works, water tanks and earthworks
300 EDWARD ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
272 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use and development of retail premise, convenience restaurants, office, two lot subdivision, display of business identification signs, sale and consumption of liquor, car parking dispensation, creation of easements and access to Road Zone Category 1
325 MANCHESTER ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Lapsed
Removal of registered restrictive covenant instrument number 2646793, buildings and works for the construction of three dwellings, vegetation removal, and subdivision to create four lots, on land affected by the Erosion Management Overlay and Significant Landscape Overlay, generally in accordance with the endorsed plans.
29 VICTORIA ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
8 ALLAMBI ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and work to extend an existing building (restaurant) and display of internally illuminated business identification signs
239-241 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
Staged buildings and works to extend existing country club building, associated vegetation removal, construct a building and display of illuminated business identification sign
68 KINGSWOOD DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to extend dwelling
197 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use of land for an office (video production/photography studio)
17 BONAVITA COURT CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
Building and works to construct two double storey dwellings and associated tree removal
6 GLENDALE DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Buildings and works to construct three dwellings
54 CIRCLE RIDGE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Display of an electronic promotional sign
239-241 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Lapsed
Use and development of a childcare centre and reduction in car parking
15 KIMBERLEY DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Buildings and works to construct a second dwelling, two lot subdivision and removal of an easement
14 JOANNE AVENUE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
Display of business identification signs
325 MANCHESTER ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
165 VICTORIA ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Vegetation removal
3 CULLEN COURT CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116No permit required
Two lot subdivision
135 Switchback RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
2 RIVERVIEW TERRACE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct a second dwelling, carport for existing dwelling, associated vegetation removal and two lot subdivision
15 CLUBPOINT DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct a shade sail and shade canopy
46 RAMSET DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct two dwellings, two lot subdivision and removal of an easement
9 JOANNE AVENUE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
167 Victoria RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
9 Meadow Fair WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct a second dwelling and two lot subdivision
29 EDWARD ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Vary restrictive covenant A528492
2 AKARANA ROAD CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
April 2021
Use and development of the land for a warehouse
46 RAMSET DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct a second dwelling and alterations to existing dwelling/carport
38 CLUBPOINT DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
3 St Andrews DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
Use and development of a childcare centre
21 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116Refusal issued by a delegate
Two lot subdivision
7 Joanne AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an Additional Dwelling, carport for the existing dwelling and two lot subdivision and vegetation removal
21 Black Springs RoadNo permit required
Staged buildings and works to extend existing country club building, associated vegetation removal, construct a building and display of illuminated business identification sign
68 Kingswood DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct three dwellings and vegetation removal
2 PEDEN STREET CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by a delegate
Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
22 Crown Point RidgePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
Two lot subdivision
1/141 Victoria RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
Buildings and works to construct a replacement dwelling, feature wall and gate, fence and associated vegetation removal
2 Honeysuckle WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works to construct ten retail premises, three convenience restaurants, five shops and a food and drink premise, signage and reduction of car parking under Clause 52.06-8
266-268 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY CHIRNSIDE PARK 3116NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
23 Joanne AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Traffic delays both directions at the intersection of Paynes Road and Edward Road, Chirnside Park due to road damage. Please be alert for changed conditions and allow extra time when travelling in the area.PAYNES ROAD, EDWARD ROAD, PAYNES ROAD25 Jun 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
Data sources & freshness
Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Flood / inundation overlay
4.4% of suburb boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
Casey
Member of Parliament
Aaron VIOLI (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
122,351
Turnout (2025)
94.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.5 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 52.9%Labor 47.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.8 km away).
Coalition 53.4%Labor 46.6%
0.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Chirnside ParkLabor 45.5% · Coalition 54.5% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
Lilydale NorthLabor 47.7% · Coalition 52.3% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
Lilydale WestLabor 48.0% · Coalition 52.0% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
Mooroolbark UpperLabor 50.4% · Coalition 49.6% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
Mooroolbark WestLabor 50.3% · Coalition 49.7% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)